Counting down to the Awards show in Genting on 2 August, MTV has unveiled more than 50 local and international nominees that will be honoured at Asia’s biggest pan-regional music event.

Drawing towards the big day at the Arena of Stars in Genting, MTV viewers in the region will be able to shout out to the world their preferred choice in music simply by casting votes for their favorite artists from 14 June to 25 July.

The awards will see a total of 16 categories, ten of which will be determined by MTV viewers’ votes for the Favourite Artist category.

Nominees for the Favourite Artist categories consist of the movers and shakers who shape the local music industry as well as the most popular international artists in Asia.

The other six awards are honorary awards – The Video Star Award, Breakthrough Artist, The Innovation Award, Best Hook-Up, Bring Da House Down and edc Style Award.

These awards will be presented by MTV Asia in recognition of key industry figures and trendsetters, be it in terms of fashion, music, video or live performances to the way the artists market themselves.

But other nominees will be looking to give them a good run for their money as Singapore’s Rock ‘n’ Roll indie band Electrico, Malaysia’s mando-pop prince Nicolas Teo, and Hong Kong’s Heavenly King Andy Lau, amongst others, all vie for the prestigious award in their respective categories.

On the international front, it is anyone’s guess who this year’s Favourite Artist will be. Nominees include punk pop princess Avril Lavigne, the ever glamorous Fergie, rock band Linkin Park and prince of pop, Justin Timberlake.

Another thing to look out for at the MTV Asia Awards this year is the new design of the trophy, which transcends the conventional template of other award trophies. The design of the trophy this year embodies the “breaking rule” philosophy of MTV and winners will be presented with a gold bar in the shape of an ‘M’.

The trophy is plated in 24K gold by Risis, MTV’s official partner for the trophy. Each trophy comes in a customised velvet case and envelope.

“M is back and what more to make a statement than with a gold bar in a Casino resort, Genting – The City of Entertainment? It is extravagant, lavish and over-the-top, the ultimate Blink! Other than putting the M back into music, we’re also bringing the Mojo back into the most authoritative International Music Awards Show in Asia,” said Silvia Goh, Vice President, Multiplatform Content.

MTV is also looking to increase interactivity amongst the audiences at this year’s awards show. Apart from being able to vote for your favourite artist and international artist online or over mobile, a new exciting contest called “So You Wanna Be A Presenter” is also in store.

Viewers can send in a video of how they think their local nominees should be presented at the MTV Asia Awards 2008 to

Taufik Batisah and Hady Mirza continued their reign as two of the country’s biggest stars.

Both Singapore Idol winners scored trophies for the Most Popular Act in Singapore category at the Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM) awards in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Organised by MediaCorp radio stations Ria 89.7FM and Warna 94.2FM, the awards ceremony – now in its eighth year – saw some of the biggest stars in the Malay music scene from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore battle it out at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Though none of the Singaporean acts won regional awards, they were grateful to showcase their talent at the show, which was expected to draw some 160 million television viewers across the region.

Said Taufik: “APM allows us to show that despite being a small market, Singapore has got a lot of talent.”

The 26-year-old winner of the inaugural Singapore Idol in 2004 scored eight nominations the most this year including regional categories such as Most Popular Song, Best Male Artiste and Most Popular Male Artiste.

He ended the night with three awards: Most Popular Act in Singapore, Most Popular Song (Singapore), and Best Act (Singapore). The award for Most Popular Act in Singapore was also shared with his Idol successor Hady and hip-hop act Sleeq.

Local band Cradle’s track Ayu won the Best Song (Singapore) award. The top regional awards were won by Malaysians Siti Nurhaliza (Most Popular Female Artiste), Faizal Tahir (Most Popular Male Artiste), Anuar Zain (Best Male Artiste) and Indonesia’s Kris Dayanti (Best Female Artiste).

A delayed telecast of the show will be broadcast on MediaCorp TV’s Suria channel this Saturday at 9pm. –

Astro Ria will be broadcasting the awards “live” in Malaysia and Brunei on April 20. Global TV will also carry the programme “live” in Indonesia, while Suria TV will carry a delayed telecast in Singapore on April 26 at 9pm.

Radio stations Ria 89.7FM, Warna 94.2FM and Malaysian Radio Era will be broadcasting the event “live”. – CNA /ls

Divas of the world, be warned. Celine Dion and her colossal voice are taking over the universe – one country at a time – with her Taking Chances world tour. Well, most countries besides Singapore, that is.

The 39-year-old singer – with her manager-husband Rene Angelil, 81-year-old mother and seven-year-old son in tow – was in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to show 10,000 fans, celebrities and politicians why she is one of the best-selling female artistes of all time. KL was her only stop in South-east Asia.

Perhaps no one told her our observation wheel is, like, totally bigger than theirs. Putting aside national pride, it wasn’t difficult to see why the ballad queen is as popular as she is.

In person, Dion is pretty much what you get with her songs – pleasant. Her well-rehearsed PR spiel, delivered in an ethereal speaking tone as if she were singing right at you, bordered on the contrived but was never offensive.

Like her trademark big hits, most of what she said veered on the side of mushy and sentimental. The Grammy winner said the reason she agreed to her recently-concluded five-year Caesars Palace deal in Las Vegas so she could “go home to be a 100-per-cent mother”. She said things such as “I only choose to do songs that I love and to please my fans” and how her son “is ready to run so we want to run with him”. And nobody gagged.

In fact, photographers clamoured to snap the best shots of a tudong-clad Dion playfully posing draped in batik shawls. Such is the power of Celine Dion – the incredible ability to make the bland incredibly palatable.

Demonstrating that power at the Stadium Merdeka later that night, the Canadian singer won over fans, singing 23 songs over an hour-and-a-half.

Her gangly sequin-and-leather-clad frame took centrestage in front of her band, six dancers and three backup singers, and she belted out signature hits such as Power of Love, It’s All Coming Back to Me and All By Myself.

Her live singing voice was distinctly lower in register than her studio recordings, but the audience enthusiastically lapped it up.

The Malaysian press reported that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor; former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali; singer Siti Nurhaliza; and Malaysia’s royal family were all at the concert.

When Dion asked the audience to sing the last line of Because You Loved Me for her, the closet Celine Dion fan in this reporter found a buried voice suddenly singing along – with goosebumps forming on my arm. That’s what an impeccable voice singing familiar love ballads will do to you.

Including only five songs from her new album Taking Chances, Dion ended her performance with the inevitable encore of My Heart Will Go On in a flowing yellow gown – complete with her customary scrunched-up facial expression as she hit the high notes.

Watching her perform live, you experience first-hand how surprisingly-tasty bland can be. –

SINGAPORE : MediaCorp artiste Maiya Rahman, who was the first runner-up in last year’s Anugerah 2007 competition organised by Suria, has been invited to perform at Radio Televisyen Malaysia’s (RTM) 52nd anniversary concert on Saturday.

This prestigious event typically features artistes from countries around the region such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.

This year’s celebration is no different.

“At first, I was shocked and honoured because I’m singing together with all the big stars,” said Maiya, who landed in Kuala Lumpur at 4am yesterday and was in rehearsals by noon.

“I’m new to the business, so I hope I can perform on the same level as the rest of them,” she said of the roster of stars that includes Siti Nurhaliza.

“I’m happy to be here, but at the same time, I’m a bit nervous. I take it one day at a time to improve.”

“I’ve always loved to sing at home, at community centres and at weddings,” said the 19-year-old singer, who started singing in public when she was 14.

“It was my parents who encouraged me to try for the Anugerah competition.”

She will be performing a duet with Malaysian singer Izwan Pillus, as well as in a “girl group” segment with singers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Among the other talents performing are popular Malaysian singers Izwan Pillus, Misha Omar, Adibah Noor and Elyana.

Maiya will also have a solo spot performing Nongkrong, which means “chill out” in Malay – not something she’s able to do at the moment. “I can’t chill out, what with all the nerves!” she said. “I hope I can do Singapore proud.” –

Established artistes dominated an awards show on Friday that honoured the best in Malay music region-wide.

Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM) 2007, now in its seventh year, is the Malay music equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Organised by MediaCorp Radio Warna 92.4FM and Ria 89.7FM, the event attracted 4,000 fans to the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

A total of 19 awards were handed out but the loudest cheers were reserved for Malaysian pop princess Siti Nurhaliza Ã¢â‚¬â€ who attended with husband Khalid Mohammad Jiwa Ã¢â‚¬â€ and Indonesian diva Kris Dayanti.

Both artistes performed and walked away with some hardware: Kris Dayanti picked up an APM Special Award while Best Female Artiste winner Siti Nurhaliza performed a medley of the year’s best song nominees with Indonesian singer Gita Gutawa and former Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah, the Most Popular Artiste (Singapore).

Elsewhere, Hady Mirza Ã¢â‚¬â€ looking noticeably slimmer than in his Singapore Idol days Ã¢â‚¬â€ impressed music fans when he performed a duet with veteran Malaysian singer Zainalabidin on his 1992 ecological themed pop hit, Hijau (Green).

The latter was also honoured with the Planet Muzik Humanitarian Award that recognises his charitable efforts over the years.

Other big names who graced the event included Singaporean-born Malay pop hit-maker M Nasir, the Best Male Artiste, Indonesian band Leeto and Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor.

Malaysian singer Mawi, the 25-year-old winner of the reality singing show, Akademi Fantasia, took home the awards for Most Popular Male Artiste and Most Popular Song. “It feels like a dream accepting this award,” said the singer, who was dressed in a white suit and oversized aviator glasses. “Thank God for the win and the fact my luck hasn’t run out so far.”

While the focus seemed to be on Indonesian and Malaysian musicians, there were some grumbles at the perceived shortage of Singaporean talent.

Indeed, all the Singaporean-themed awards were given out during the pre-show. Not that it bothered any of the homegrown nominees.

“I was too nervous and the rehearsals were pressure-packed,” said Imran Ajmain, 26, who walked away with Best Artiste (Singapore) and Best New Male Artiste awards. “But it’s nice to see fans and friends come together to support you Ã¢â‚¬â€ that makes the experience all the more worthwhile.” – ESTABLISHED artistes dominated an awards show on Friday that honoured the best in Malay music region-wide.

Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM) 2007, now in its seventh year, is the Malay music equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Organised by MediaCorp Radio Warna 92.4FM and Ria 89.7FM, the event attracted 4,000 fans to the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

A total of 19 awards were handed out but the loudest cheers were reserved for Malaysian pop princess Siti Nurhaliza Ã¢â‚¬â€ who attended with husband Khalid Mohammad Jiwa Ã¢â‚¬â€ and Indonesian diva Kris Dayanti.

Both artistes performed and walked away with some hardware: Kris Dayanti picked up an APM Special Award while Best Female Artiste winner Siti Nurhaliza performed a medley of the year’s best song nominees with Indonesian singer Gita Gutawa and former Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah, the Most Popular Artiste (Singapore).

Elsewhere, Hady Mirza Ã¢â‚¬â€ looking noticeably slimmer than in his Singapore Idol days Ã¢â‚¬â€ impressed music fans when he performed a duet with veteran Malaysian singer Zainalabidin on his 1992 ecological themed pop hit, Hijau (Green).

The latter was also honoured with the Planet Muzik Humanitarian Award that recognises his charitable efforts over the years.

Other big names who graced the event included Singaporean-born Malay pop hit-maker M Nasir, the Best Male Artiste, Indonesian band Leeto and Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor.

Malaysian singer Mawi, the 25-year-old winner of the reality singing show, Akademi Fantasia, took home the awards for Most Popular Male Artiste and Most Popular Song. “It feels like a dream accepting this award,” said the singer, who was dressed in a white suit and oversized aviator glasses. “Thank God for the win and the fact my luck hasn’t run out so far.”

While the focus seemed to be on Indonesian and Malaysian musicians, there were some grumbles at the perceived shortage of Singaporean talent.

Indeed, all the Singaporean-themed awards were given out during the pre-show. Not that it bothered any of the homegrown nominees.

“I was too nervous and the rehearsals were pressure-packed,” said Imran Ajmain, 26, who walked away with Best Artiste (Singapore) and Best New Male Artiste awards. “But it’s nice to see fans and friends come together to support you Ã¢â‚¬â€ that makes the experience all the more worthwhile.” ESTABLISHED artistes dominated an awards show on Friday that honoured the best in Malay music region-wide.

Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM) 2007, now in its seventh year, is the Malay music equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Organised by MediaCorp Radio Warna 92.4FM and Ria 89.7FM, the event attracted 4,000 fans to the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

A total of 19 awards were handed out but the loudest cheers were reserved for Malaysian pop princess Siti Nurhaliza Ã¢â‚¬â€ who attended with husband Khalid Mohammad Jiwa Ã¢â‚¬â€ and Indonesian diva Kris Dayanti.

Both artistes performed and walked away with some hardware: Kris Dayanti picked up an APM Special Award while Best Female Artiste winner Siti Nurhaliza performed a medley of the year’s best song nominees with Indonesian singer Gita Gutawa and former Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah, the Most Popular Artiste (Singapore).

Elsewhere, Hady Mirza Ã¢â‚¬â€ looking noticeably slimmer than in his Singapore Idol days Ã¢â‚¬â€ impressed music fans when he performed a duet with veteran Malaysian singer Zainalabidin on his 1992 ecological themed pop hit, Hijau (Green).

The latter was also honoured with the Planet Muzik Humanitarian Award that recognises his charitable efforts over the years.

Other big names who graced the event included Singaporean-born Malay pop hit-maker M Nasir, the Best Male Artiste, Indonesian band Leeto and Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor.

Malaysian singer Mawi, the 25-year-old winner of the reality singing show, Akademi Fantasia, took home the awards for Most Popular Male Artiste and Most Popular Song. “It feels like a dream accepting this award,” said the singer, who was dressed in a white suit and oversized aviator glasses. “Thank God for the win and the fact my luck hasn’t run out so far.”

While the focus seemed to be on Indonesian and Malaysian musicians, there were some grumbles at the perceived shortage of Singaporean talent.

Indeed, all the Singaporean-themed awards were given out during the pre-show. Not that it bothered any of the homegrown nominees.

“I was too nervous and the rehearsals were pressure-packed,” said Imran Ajmain, 26, who walked away with Best Artiste (Singapore) and Best New Male Artiste awards. “But it’s nice to see fans and friends come together to support you Ã¢â‚¬â€ that makes the experience all the more worthwhile.” – TODAY/ra